From "Luger Tips", by Michael Reese, 1976, page 35.
"1906 Russian Contract. The Russian Lugers had their beginnings in Germany sometime after 1906 and before 1914. These contract pieces were made at DWM for sale to Russia's military establishment. This contract piece has a short 4-inch barrel with only the serial number under the barrel. It also has the grip safety and no stock lug. The safety area is marked in Cyrillic characters which are Bulgarian and mean nothing to a Russian. In the Author's personal opinion the frames for these Russian Lugers were the same ones made for the 1906 Bulgarian contract. The Bulgarian contract came early in 1906, DWM probably thought that this order was going to be a big one and made surplus parts. Thus when their order was only around 1000 pieces, many parts remained in stock. When the Russians placed their initial order, DWM probbaly thought that it would be another small order and used her old Bulgarian frames.
A special stamp was produced for their chamber, which is the model 1891 Russian Service Rifle or "Three Line Nagant". They are crossed to form a very impressive crest. The extractor is marked in Russian characters. The Author (Reese) has personally examined Serial No. 747, 193 and 345."
At the time of writing, he had heard of four others but had not examined them. He estimates the number manufactured to be at 1000 or less.
